Kona

The start and finish for the Ironman swim portion


Beautiful Kona


On the Submarine


Parasailing



We got a chance to spend one day in Kona. This was one of my favorite stops on the trip. We missed Ironman by 2 days but we got to see people train for the swim portion. For our day in Kona we were mighty busy. We first did a submarine ride which was fun but we didn't really see anything exciting (we did see dolphins on the tethering boat on the way to the dock from the ship). Also some people were talking about seeing sharks earlier in the week but no such luck. We then went para sailing which was so much fun. It was both of our first times and we got to do it together. The weather and the view was awesome. We were up there for about 10 minutes 1200 feet up in the air. We had a blast. I wish we could have stayed longer in Kona since we missed so much more stuff. Its definitely on the list of go back places!

Maui

After our beach day at Wailea


In Lahaina


Under the cool tree




We got to spend 2 days in Maui. They were our relaxing days with no big excursions planned. The first day was a day at Wailea Beach which was just named best beach in the world a couple years ago. The second day was a trip to Lahaina which is a small town with lots of shops and historical monuments. One being the Banyan Tree which is the second largest in the world. It is all connected with each other which made some really cool pictures.

Hilo

At Volcanoes National Park


Before starting Devastation Trail


Cool Landscape during the trail that Mike took


Inside the Lava Tube


The view from our boat of the volcano(at night) going into the ocean which is making the Big Island bigger and bigger each day.

Our first stop on the Cruise was Hilo, which is on the big island of Hawaii. We got to tour Volcanoes National Park and see the crater of Kilauea which still smokes today, the hot steams, and the Thurston Lava Tube. We also got to tour the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory. I had never tried a macadamia nut before...they were mighty tasty with chocolate. At night after we set sail the boat took us up to where Mauna Loa is still active and could see the lava run into the ocean.

North Shore

On Friday we went to the North Shore of Oahu. This is my favorite area on Oahu. Its so mellow and not busy up there. We went to Sunset Beach, the waves weren't that big which kind of sucked. Traveled to Turtle Bay to find sea turtles and we saw 3. I had never seen a sea turtle (sea world doesn't count) and they were pretty cool. Went to Surf n Sea to pick up some cool surf gear to wear back home. We had to hit up Matsumoto, which is famous for its shaved ice. yummy!

The Black and Orange Affair

So last weekend the old roomies (heather and brigitte also sean) threw a party at their apartment and you were to dress in orange and black(for halloween). I went by myself since Mike had to work early the next morning. We played an intense game of catch phrase which was hilarious I was crying at one point. Fun times by all!

Luau

with the bracelet I made


at sunset


during dinner and before the show


the hula dancers


On Thursday evening we went to a luau at Paradise Cove on the West side of Oahu. The cool thing was they bused us from Waikiki to there so we can drink and not have to worry about drinking and driving(plus we had 4 drink coupons each!) We got to experience some Polynesian activities like games, making bracelets with plumerias, and tattoos. Then was the whole eating experience which wasn't bad. We got to see hula dancers and the finale was the fire dancer which was awesome. We had tons of fun!

Pearl Harbor

On Thursday we went to Pearl Harbor. It was Mike's first time. We met a Pearl Harbor survivor and talked with him for a bit. What a thing to go through. We walked around the memorial til the time for our movie and tour over to the Arizona Memorial. Mike took some really cool shots while on the memorial. One of my favorites is the first one with the sun and flag.